After smashing SEA Games records, swimmer Teong Tzen Wei wants to 'stay the path'

HANOI: Teong Tzen Wei swims like a force of nature but speaks with the wisdom of a philosopher.

Throughout our 25-minute conversation, Teong discusses mental barriers, stressors and the psychology of sport.

He's 24.

This is an athlete cognisant of the fact that as much as his battle is won in the pool, it is one that has been also fought outside it.

On Thursday, Teong became the first Southeast Asian swimmer to go under 22 seconds for the first time when he smashed the SEA Games 50m freestyle record

Based on swimming governing body FINA's rankings, Teong's time of 21.93 is the second fastest recorded by an Asian swimmer this year.

But ask him a day later on whether the achievement has sunk in and Teong’s answer is simple.

He’s moved on.

“I’ve kind of moved on already. We are going to a training camp now and then off to the World Championships. So can't really think too much about the past,” he told CNA before flying with some members of the Singapore swim team to a training camp in Croatia.

“Bad races, good races. Honestly, you just learn from it and then you try to get better.”

Based on previously published qualifying standards for the 2024 Olympic Games, Teong’s timing is under the mark needed to qualify for Paris 2024.

However, FINA later clarified that these standards were not confirmed and will be updated in due course. The Olympic qualification window is slated to open next year.

“It’s a good showing of the training (I've been doing). So I need to just stay the path,” added Teong.

As a child, Teong would dream of making it to the Olympics. But somewhere along the way, that dream dimmed.

“As you grow older, with ... school and Singapore culture, the dream gets a bit harder and further away. So it left my mind for a very long